Introduction

As we march into this bright new millennium, we’re

constantly reminded of the fusion of east and west.

Whether it’s through satellite television programming that

beams in productions from different cultures, enjoying books

and music from distant lands that, only a generation or two

ago, couldn’t be accessed, and – of course – communicating

with people across time and space through the Internet and

other telecommunications advancements, the world has

become a much smaller place. Indeed, when Marshall

McLuan coined the term Global Village, even he probably

didn’t envision so much, so fast, so soon.

Riding the wave of information that now crisscrosses our

tiny planet is something that has its roots in ancient history,

yet is experiencing a blossoming in the west that continues

to gain momentum with each passing year. Whether it’s at

a local YMCA or a lush spiritual retreat in the Everglades,

Yoga is establishing itself as a mainstay in western culture;

indeed, in global culture.

However, many people are reluctant to experience the

physical, emotional, and psychological health benefits of

yoga; and there is really only one major reason for this:

misinformation.

While many people might truly enjoy yoga and find it to be

the side-effect free answer to a lot of their emotional and

physical ailments, they just don’t know enough about the

subject to take that first step.

Furthermore, a stereotype out there that seems to persist

despite evidence to the contrary is that yoga is a religious

following; and that to experience its many health benefits

somehow obliges one to renounce their faith or, worse, run

away to some commune and eat tofu in between chanting

sessions.

While, yes, if you’d like to go to a retreat and enjoy tofu and

chanting, that’s probably possible (almost anything is

possible, as long as it’s legal and people want to do it,

right?).

Yet that vision of yoga – people with shaved heads and

handing flowers to strangers at the airport – is by no means

the overall picture. Yoga is really a very simple, accessible,

and in many countries around the world, ordinary thing to

do.

In that light, this book is created with one goal in mind: to

demystify yoga for you, and provide you with a clear,

simple, and fun introduction to the topic.

If you’ve never been exposed to any kind of yoga (except

for what you might have seen on television), then this book

is for you!

In addition, even if you have experienced some kinds of

yoga (perhaps a friend dragged you to a class at the local

recreation center all those years ago), this book will reignite

your interest in the topic and reattach you to a mode of

body movement and mind focus that has lived in ancient

lands for millennium.